Hines Ward believes he can still play football. The longtime Pittsburgh wide receiver known for his high-wattage smile and his bone-crunching blocks just couldn’t stomach the thought of doing it in some strange uniform on some strange field with nary a Terrible Towel in sight.

“I just wouldn’t feel right,” Ward said.

So rather than play for a 15th season – and his first outside the Steel City – a tearful Ward opted to retire Tuesday and secure a legacy unmatched in the franchise’s long history.

“I can say I’m a Steeler for life and that’s the bottom line, that’s all I’ve really ever wanted,” Ward said.

Ward holds every significant franchise receiving record, including receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. His 1,000 career catches rank eighth all time and he is one of two players with at least 1,000 receptions and two Super Bowl rings.

The decision comes three weeks after the 36-year-old was released by the Steelers in a salary cap maneuver.

Quarterback Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers were working to finalize a three-year contract, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said.

The person said final details were still being worked out and it could be complete as soon as today.

“Oh, I’m excited,” tight end Vernon Davis said in a text message. “I’m glad. Alex deserves all good things that come his way.”

NFL Network first reported the sides had agreed on a new deal, which ESPN reported to be worth roughly $8 million per season.

The 27-year-old Smith had met with Miami on Sunday but ultimately decided to stay put with the storied franchise that drafted him first overall in 2005.

The Eagles and Texans also announced they were swapping third-round choices in 2012. The Eagles now have the 89th pick overall, while the Texans have the 77th pick.

The 27-year-old linebacker and team captain leaves Houston as the Texans all-time leader with 637 tackles while also contributing eight sacks, six forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and two interceptions in his six-year career. He earned Pro Bowl honors following the 2007 and 2009 campaigns and was an Associated Press All-Pro selection in 2007.

More than two dozen frustrated fans gathered outside the Miami Dolphins’ complex to protest the way the team is being run, and the spectacle moved beleaguered general manager Jeff Ireland to act.

“I’m not naive to the fact of what’s out there,” Ireland told The Associated Press as fans protested across the street.

Among the fans who gathered at team headquarters at midday, several wore bags over their heads, and others held signs that read “FIRELAND.” They were mostly upset about a succession of setbacks involving quarterbacks since free agency began a week ago.

The Dolphins last won a playoff game 11 years ago, and with a 6-10 finish in 2011, they’ve endured three consecutive losing seasons for the first time since the 1960s.

Owner Stephen Ross stressed that the top offseason priority was to upgrade at quarterback, and two weeks ago the Dolphins were considered the favorites to sign Peyton Manning. They finished fourth among four finalists.

The Dolphins were then regarded as the front-runners for Green Bay Packers backup Matt Flynn, but after visiting Miami, he opted for the Seattle Seahawks. Ireland then brought in Alex Smith for a visit, and when it appeared he would instead remain with the San Francisco 49ers, Miami signed David Garrard, who didn’t play anywhere in 2011.

Source: Alex Smith,

49ers close to deal

Eagles, Texans trade

Dolphins fans protest

way team is being run

Here’s the deals

Cornerback and special teams ace Jarrett Bush agreed to a three-year deal to return to Green Bay, according to his agent. … Tennessee agreed to terms with defensive end Kamerion Wimbley on a multi-year deal. He had 16 sacks in 32 games as a linebacker in Oakland the past two seasons before being released last week. … Detroit reached a deal to keep linebacker Stephen Tulloch for another five years.

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